Underwood leads UWA past Barry Buccaneers

Published: Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 11:37 p.m.

LIVINGSTON | Sandy Underwood scored 26 points, including 11 in the final 1:25, to lead West Alabama to a 71-61 win over Barry University in men's college basketball action Saturday afternoon.

Underwood hit 13 of 14 free throws, including eight in a row on one-and-one situations over the final 1:04 of play.

The Tigers held Barry to only 28.6 percent shooting. The visitors from Miami missed 14 of their last 16 shots from the floor. UWA outrebounded Barry 45-37. Barry attempted 43 3-pointers but hit only 11. UWA never trailed, jumping out to a 10-0 lead over the first four minutes. Barry cut it to two points, 54-52, with 7:03 to go but that was as close as the Buccaneers got in the second half.

“I saw a lot of progress today,” UWA coach Mike Newell said. “We played zone for the first time and we looked good in it. I was very pleased with the play of freshman Josh Millsap. Stephen Samuels played his best game and Kyle Belcher was excellent in the second half.”

Millsap grabbed 13 rebounds to helped lead UWA to the rebounding advantage. Underwood had 10 rebounds. Belcher had 17 points off the bench and Samuels added 12 points.

Barry (3-1) was led by Bryan Von Cott with 18 points. Aaron Martin chipped in 13 and Justin McCoy 12.

<p>LIVINGSTON | Sandy Underwood scored 26 points, including 11 in the final 1:25, to lead West Alabama to a 71-61 win over Barry University in men's college basketball action Saturday afternoon. </p><p>Underwood hit 13 of 14 free throws, including eight in a row on one-and-one situations over the final 1:04 of play.</p><p>The Tigers held Barry to only 28.6 percent shooting. The visitors from Miami missed 14 of their last 16 shots from the floor. UWA outrebounded Barry 45-37. Barry attempted 43 3-pointers but hit only 11. UWA never trailed, jumping out to a 10-0 lead over the first four minutes. Barry cut it to two points, 54-52, with 7:03 to go but that was as close as the Buccaneers got in the second half.</p><p>“I saw a lot of progress today,” UWA coach Mike Newell said. “We played zone for the first time and we looked good in it. I was very pleased with the play of freshman Josh Millsap. Stephen Samuels played his best game and Kyle Belcher was excellent in the second half.”</p><p>Millsap grabbed 13 rebounds to helped lead UWA to the rebounding advantage. Underwood had 10 rebounds. Belcher had 17 points off the bench and Samuels added 12 points. </p><p>Barry (3-1) was led by Bryan Von Cott with 18 points. Aaron Martin chipped in 13 and Justin McCoy 12. </p><p>The Tigers (2-2) host Stillman College this afternoon at 3.</p>